Blanks for boxes

ABSTRACT

The invention discloses a blank of stiff sheet material having two substantially longitudinal edges and including three quadrilateral members, namely a central member and two adjacent outer members located on either side of the central member; each outer member being foldable relative to the central member; and a number of suitably arranged engaging tabs projecting away from the members for connecting the blank, when folded, to a similar blank thus forming a box.

United States Patent 91 Stegmann 1 3,744,700 [451 July 10, 1973 1 BLANKS FOR BOXES [76] Inventor: John Stegmann, 1 Heath St.,

Newlands, Republic of South Africa 221 Filed: July 21,1971

[21] Appl. No.: 164,521

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data -luly 29, 1970 Republic of South Africa ..70/5258 [52] US. Cl 229/23, 46/24 [51] Int. Cl 365d 13/00 [58] Field of Search 229/23 A, 27 R, 23 C,

V 1 229/49; 206/D1G. 25, 4 E; 46/1 L, 24

[56] References Lited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,272,419 9/1966 Vineberg 229/23 R 559,050 4/1896 Carman 229/23 RX Primary Examiner--Davis T. Moorhead Attorney-Larson, Taylor and Hinds [5 7] ABSTRACT The invention discloses a blank of stiff sheet material having two substantially longitudinal edges and including three quadrilateral members, namely a central member and two adjacent outer members located on either side of the central member; each outer member 7 being foldable relative to the central member; and a number of suitably arranged engaging tabs projecting away from the members for connecting the blank, when folded, to a similar blank thus forming'a box.

5 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENIE JUL 1 019 15 BLANKS FOR BOXES The present invention relates to blanks for boxes.

It is an object of the invention to provide a blank for boxes, which economizes the blank material and which is easily assembled into a box without necessarily requiring adhesives.

According to the invention, there is provided a first blank of stiff sheet material for a box, the blank having two substantially parallel longitudinal edges and including three substantially square shaped members, namely a central member and two adjacent outer members located on either side of the central member and each having an edge in common with the central member, each outer member being foldable relative to the central member along a folding line separating the central member and this outer member and extending between the longitudinal edges; and two end tab sections respectively provided and being foldable along edges of the outer members facing away from the central member, for connecting the blank, when folded, to a similar blank thus forming a box, at least one of the end tab sections projecting on opposite sides outwardly beyond the longitudinal edges of the blank.

At least one slot may be provided in each end tab section.

Side tabs may be provided on the members, the side tabs being foldable along the longitudinal edges while extending only fora part of the length of a member.

The side tabs on the central member may be arranged substantially centrally.

The side tabs on the outer members may extend from the folding line between the respective outer member and the central member.

The side tabs on the central member may be adapted to engage into slots in the end tabs of a complimentary blank or into between a spaced pair of end tabs of a complimentary blank.

A short cut-in or incision may be provided between each side tabs end and its adjacent member.

Yet further according to the invention, there is pro vided a second blank of stiff sheet material for a box, the blank having two substantially parallel longitudinal edges and including three substantially square shaped members, namely a central member and two adjacent outer members located on either side of the central member and each having an edge in common with the central member; each outer member being foldable relative to the central member along a folding line separating the central member and this outer member and extending between the longitudinal edges; and two end tab sections respectively provided and being foldable along edges of the outer members facing away from the central member, for connecting the blank, when folded, to a similar blank thus forming a box, the first end tab section including two spaced tabs having a gap between them, and the second end tab sections projecting on opposite sides outwardly beyond the longitudinal edge of the blank.

A slot may be provided in the second end tab section.

Side tabs may be provided on the members, the side tabs being foldable along the longitudinal edges while extending only for a part of the length of a member.

The side tabs on the central member may be arranged substantially centrally.

The side tabs on the outer members-may extend from the folding line between the respective outer members and the central member.

The side tabs on the central member may be adapted to engage into slotsin the end tabs of a complimentary blank.

A short cut-in orincision may be provided between each side tabs end and its adjacent member.

The invention also extends to a pair of blanks adapted to be assembled into a container and comprising a first blank as set out hereinbefore, and a second blank as set out hereinbefore.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings.

In the drawings,

FIG. '1 shows a plan view dance with the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a pictorial view of the blanks of FIG. 1 when folded prior to assembly;

FIG. 3 shows the first step in the assembly of the pair of blanks;

FIG. 4 shows the second step in assembly;

FIG. 5 shows the third step in assembly; and

FIG. 6 shows the final step in assembly.

FIG. 7 shows a sheet of stiff paper (or suitable plastic material) on which two pairs 10.1 and 10.2 of complimentary blanks 12.1, 14.1; 12.2, 14.2 are provided and can be torn off for assembly purposes.

Referring to FIG. 1 a pair 10 of blanks 12 and 14 are provided. These blanks 12 and 14 are very similar, but

of a pair of blanks in accorhave certain complimentary differences as explained below. All folding lines are indicated by dotted lines.

The blank 12 has three square members 22.1, 22.2, 22.3 which are relatively foldable about folding lines on their common edges between the longitudinal edges. It further has two end tabs 32.1, 32.2 extending right across the width of the blank and having side extension tabs 42.1, 42.2, 42.3, 42.4. It furthermore includes side tabs 52.1 52.4 along the longitudinal edges of the blank 12. These tabs have short cut-ins or incisions (indicated by arrows 52.5 and 52.6 respectively) along their respective folding lines. Finally a center pair of trapezium-shaped side tabs or tongues 62.1, 62.2 are provided, having short cut-ins or incisions along the folding lines indicated by arrow 62.3. In the end tabs 32.1 and 32.2 slots 72.1, 72.2 are respectively provided.

Regarding the blank 14 the same reference system is used as for blank l2. Except for the clear differences regarding curvature on the edges of the various tabs, the blank 14 has apair of tabs 84.1, 84.2 in place of the single end tab 32.2 of blank 12. These tabs 84.1, 84.2 have short cut-ins or incisions along the folding line as indicated by arrow 84.3. i

In FIGS. 2 to 6 the various stages in assembly are shown.

In stage 1 (FIG. 2) the blanks are folded alongall folding lines to provide adjacent perpendicular surfaces. Also it is clear that tab 62.2 of blank 12 isintended to be inserted into slot 74.1 of blank 14 as shown in FIG. 3. (The tab 62.2 and the complimentary slot 74.1 are not absolutely necessary and may be omitted.) j

Thereafter the box is assembled as is clearly shown in the drawings.

No adhesive is required, but to provide permanency,

adhesive may be applied on at least some of the tabs. The blanks in accordance with the invention may be used both as an educational or entertainment toy, or'

central member along a folding line separating the central member and this outer member and extending between the longitudinal edges; and two end tab sections respectively provided and being foldable along edges of the outer members facing away from the central memher, for connecting the blank, when folded, to a similar blank thus forming a box, at least one of the end tab sections projecting on opposite sides outwardly beyond the longitudinal edges of the blank.

2. A blank as claimed in claim 1 in which at least one slot is provided in each end tab section.

3. A blank as claimed in claim 1 in which side tabs are provided on the members, which side tabs are foldable along the longitudinal edges while extending only for a part of the length of a member.

4. A blank as claimed in claim 3, in which the side tabs on the central member are adapted to engage into slots in the end tabs of a complimentary blank or into between a spaced pair of end tabs of a complimentary blank.

5. A pair of blanks adapted to be assembled into a container and comprising a first blank of stiff sheet material for a box, the blank having two substantially parallel longitudinal edges and including three substantially square shaped members, namely a central member and two adjacent outer members located on either side of the central member and each having an edge in common with the central member, each outer member being foldable relative to the central member along a folding line separating the central member and this outer member and extending between the longitudinal edges; and two end tab sections respectively provided and being foldable along edges of the outer members facing away from the central member, for connecting the blank, when folded, to a second blank thus forming a box, at least one of the end tab sections projecting onopposite sides outwardly beyond the longitudinal edges of the blank; and a second blank of stiff sheet material for a box, the blank. having two substantially parallel longitudinal edges and including three substantially square shaped members, namely a central member and two adjacent outer members located on either side of the central member and each having an edge in common with the central member; each outer member being foldable relative to the central member along a folding line separating the central member and this outer member and extending between the longitudinal edges; and two end tab sections respectively provided and being foldable along edges of the outer members facing away from the central member, for connecting the blank, when folded, to a first blank thus forming a box, the first end tab section including two spaced tabs having a gap between them, and the second end tab section projecting on opposite sides outwardly beyond the longitudinal edge of the blank. 

1. A blank of stiff sheet material for a box, the blank having two substantially parallel longitudinal edges and including three substantially square shaped members, namely a central member and two adjacent outer members located on either side of the central member and each having an edge in common with the central member, each outer member being foldabLe relative to the central member along a folding line separating the central member and this outer member and extending between the longitudinal edges; and two end tab sections respectively provided and being foldable along edges of the outer members facing away from the central member, for connecting the blank, when folded, to a similar blank thus forming a box, at least one of the end tab sections projecting on opposite sides outwardly beyond the longitudinal edges of the blank.
 2. A blank as claimed in claim 1, in which at least one slot is provided in each end tab section.
 3. A blank as claimed in claim 1, in which side tabs are provided on the members, which side tabs are foldable along the longitudinal edges while extending only for a part of the length of a member.
 4. A blank as claimed in claim 3, in which the side tabs on the central member are adapted to engage into slots in the end tabs of a complimentary blank or into between a spaced pair of end tabs of a complimentary blank.
 5. A pair of blanks adapted to be assembled into a container and comprising a first blank of stiff sheet material for a box, the blank having two substantially parallel longitudinal edges and including three substantially square shaped members, namely a central member and two adjacent outer members located on either side of the central member and each having an edge in common with the central member, each outer member being foldable relative to the central member along a folding line separating the central member and this outer member and extending between the longitudinal edges; and two end tab sections respectively provided and being foldable along edges of the outer members facing away from the central member, for connecting the blank, when folded, to a second blank thus forming a box, at least one of the end tab sections projecting on opposite sides outwardly beyond the longitudinal edges of the blank; and a second blank of stiff sheet material for a box, the blank having two substantially parallel longitudinal edges and including three substantially square shaped members, namely a central member and two adjacent outer members located on either side of the central member and each having an edge in common with the central member; each outer member being foldable relative to the central member along a folding line separating the central member and this outer member and extending between the longitudinal edges; and two end tab sections respectively provided and being foldable along edges of the outer members facing away from the central member, for connecting the blank, when folded, to a first blank thus forming a box, the first end tab section including two spaced tabs having a gap between them, and the second end tab section projecting on opposite sides outwardly beyond the longitudinal edge of the blank. 